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sara zata · Guru

SORRY MIA again.

Tina W. · Guru

Sorry to hear all the medical troubles. You've been missed here but understood as to why. Prayers are wsith you and the family.

Play Days Dolls · Guru

I'm hoping for the very best outcome for Sam.

The doll show sounds like fun break for you. I hope you have a wonderful time. We'd love to see pictures.
Hugs,
Linda

Dee · Guru

Hello June it's good to hear from you, I will be praying for Sam I pray everthing goes well take care of Sam and yourself. Have fun at the doll show.

sara zata · Guru

Well thank you all very much. It is nice to be missed. Have done some redressing and will take photo's of my table when it is set up. I have made three of them into fairies without the fairy ears, so people can redress them as babies if they like to. The cars are packed and it is an early rise in the morning, 4 am. HATE that time of the morning so I hope we sell heaps. Will meet a lot of the other ozzie Reborners at the show, which will be nice. XXXXX June

sara zata · Guru

Well what a waste of time, they all want to know everything but dont want to buy anything. Most of them come to get new ideas. We Gave away stock just to make table, not enough to say we made fule money, so this is very last time we go to shows, for no gain. Over 20 yrs and I now call it quits. 4 am rise and everyone is so tired, Sam in so much pain, it isn't worth it. I dont think they could pay me to go to another one. XXXXX June.

Tina W. · Guru

Sorry to hear things didn't go well at the show. Everything is so bad right now people just aren't spending like they use to.

mkhammy1 · Senior Member

Oh June! I'm sorry your show didn't go well. It's so frustrating to work so hard at it and get nothing from it. I don't blame you for not doing any more shows, especially with everything else you have to deal with. I agree with Tina - the economy here in US stinks, no matter what the media tells us about the recession being over. Hopefully, things everwhere will get better soon. I sure hope Sam gets better soon, too. You guys have had it pretty rough. Thoughts and prayers coming your way! Hugs, Melinda

Buffington · Guru

Hi June hun! Glad to see you popped in for a minute. I'll pray for a good outcome for Sam! :)
Sorry to hear about the show not going well for you. Here's something I found out to save me some heartache at those shows, as I have been there - done that...

I still do doll shows but not if there are more than 3-4 other reborners. Like you said "after 20 years" of doing this you hate to call it quits, but I know from experience that they all just want to know "how" and not buy (you may want to have some of the DVD's there and say if they want to know how they can buy one, at least you'd make some money on them). Not like reborners are swapping secrets out there (obviously they don't know about our family forum!). I go to shows that have less of what I do and more of other stuff. For instance... I stopped making my potholders and dish cloths as "everybody else" at some of the shows made them and then it's either a price war between the crafters or everyone else wants to know how to make them. Or I picked other shows where not so many were doing them, it helped a lot.

Same with the doll shows, I ask the show promoter (they should be willing to give you that information if they want you to do their show) how many reborn, porcelain, ooak, and vintage dealers will be there. If there's more than 3-4 reborners then I don't do the show.
I used to bring my embroidery machine and do my tea-towels and I did draw a croud but they were only interested in my machine. Go figure eh? When I made ceramics I could get away with getting into a show where there were lots of ceramic people because my stuff was totally different. You know, there are good doll artists and not so good but lots of time (at least here in the States) people aren't interested in the quality (as we have so much stuff thats mass-produced and imported from China here) their bottom line is only price.
I may put a doll or 2 on sale a bit (maybe 10% off) but I never lower my price on my work (I know you said you had to to make booth) because it's worth much more, and my prices are reasonable.
When I used to sell my porcelains, I had a couple come and wonder why one of my dolls was $500 when they had just bought the same doll (same basic mold) from another person on the other side of the show for $200. I told them to set their doll next to mine and that's all it took! They were going to return the one they purchase to the lady and come back and get mine. As much as it pained me to lose a sale, I told them that would not be fair to that other lady and they did agree but they were not happy about it. A lot of times it depends on who they see first, like this couple. I would have had a nice sale had they seen me first.

So I know I got a little gabby there but hope you see my point. I "always" ask the show promoter about their vendors and even the buying croud. I has saved me from some shows that would have been bad for me. Hope this helps :)
Take care hun

-- Edited by Buffington on Monday 16th of November 2009 03:19:09 PM

Play Days Dolls · Guru

So sorry the show wasn't productive, June. That fact might have made Sam's pain even worse?
I completely agree with Pat about the shows. I just think I haven't found the right venue to sell my babies yet. Maybe it doesn't exist here. I have much better luck selling from my website. Donating a doll for a charity auction can also produce some business. All the other places I've tried resulted in the same thing--lookers, people wanting free and full instructions on how I made the doll (I give them my card and invite them to sign up for a class), and those who thing it would be a cute toy for a child or grandchild (need to explain it's not a toy), and those who want a bargain.

On the up side, we learn from each experience, and maybe we make an impression on someone that will produce a positive result later on.

mkhammy1 · Senior Member

I've only done 2 shows so far, one a general craft show where I got lots of lookers and great comments but no sales. The other was a doll show and I sold one baby there. I'm going to be the featured business of the month in December at my bank, and I'll be able to display my babies for the entire month of December for free! I'm very excited! I don't have to be there with the display, but I will have to go in every day to check on the display and sorta straighten things up a bit. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some sales. But at least it won't cost me anything but my time, and will give me some great exposure! I'll let you all know how it goes. Hugs, Melinda

Buffington · Guru

That's awesome Melinda! I did that once with my bank. I think it helps them to drum up new business if people know they can go in a look at a display of a local business. I did get a few sales off my time there. They didn't really watch my stuff too closely though :o

Put lots of biz cards there and a show schedual if you have it (for the rest of this year and probably next year too!). At least they can take something home and think about it. :) Your time is worth a lot too but its worth it if you can network that way.

I like the idea I mentioned on having the dvd's there for purchase and when people ask how and if they're really interested in getting my "free" advice/training, I just tell them it's all in the dvd. I have sold many and I also have blank kits there at the show for them to look at and purchase.

I do also like Linda's idea on giving them a card on lessons! I have gotten several students that way. Especially if they know you're not going to really give them all the details at the show. I had cards especially made that speak to the lessons (with prices and levels).

mkhammy1 · Senior Member

Thanks Pat for the great suggestions! I had thought about having a drawing for one of the new 6 inch babies, but I hadn't thought about the DVD's. I'd like to offer classes, but I'm not sure where I'd have them. The only place I can think of at the moment is my home. Where do all of you hold classes? How many people at a time? I don't have a show schedule at this point, and the only show I have coming up is out of town. Hmmmm. You've given me lots of new things to think about! Hugs, Melinda

Buffington · Guru

The drawing is a good way to get a prospective client base and most show promoters do it here in Mn.

My classes are offered in my home (at the moment) and I either do one-at-a-time or max of 2. I either divide the class time into 2 shorter days or one long day, depends on the client (if they're local or out of town). They have the option to stay at a hotel/motel nearby since I'm basically on airport alley and there are lots of them (hotels, not clients lol).

As far as shows, I advertise/list all of my shows just in case someone wants to come. I have some of my regulars that will travel over 50 miles to see me at a show. Sad though... I was semi-retired this year and haven't done one show. But I'm stocking up for next year, Etsy, and evilbay for my babies. I've mostly been concentrating on making my jewelry and getting done with my college courses to become a jeweler. So... new year, new beginning!

mkhammy1 · Senior Member

Pat, thanks for the info. I'm hoping to get email info from the drawing as well as addresses, that way I can send pics of my new dolls easily. Unfortunately, the show in March is over 200 miles away. Why am I going so far? Two reasons: first, I want the exposure, and second, IT'S FUN TO GET AWAY!!! Hubby sometimes goes with me, but I'm not sure he can get away in March. No problem! I can have a night or two of sound sleep (no snoring to wake me up)! And since it's strictly a doll show, I get to meet some of the nicest people! It's in El Paso, TX, and I understand it's a very well attended show. With the current ecomony, we'll have to wait and see. At least I'll get a little vacation out of the deal! Hugs, Melinda

Play Days Dolls · Guru

I love the idea of being the featured business of the month a the bank. I haven't seen anything like that here.

I was asked to do classes at a doll shop here, and I really, really wish that doll shop was mine. LOL. I really prefer holding the classes/workshops in my home. I have a gigantic kitchen table that is a high top. Instead of a nice soft light above the table, we bought a fixture with 5 small lamps that focus the light downward. The bulbs resemble the daylight--sort of like the ones in the Ott lights.

There is space for 8 around the table, but it is less crowded when there are 4 people.

I LOVE teaching the classes, and it always seems like we've known each other forever. It's a lot of fun.

I have a one-day class, but prefer the weekend workshop because the one-day is too long and exhausting. I've had some local students, but most come from neighboring states with Texas and California topping the list. There are lots of motels / hotels close by, and that is where they usually stay.

Melinda... about this doll show in El Paso.... is it just reborns or more? Is there a website for more info?

Well... I'm half asleep so am going to call it quits in a few minutes. On days when Katy is here, I really can't get on the forum to answer questions because I'm constantly being paged ("Grandma, Wook at this!" or "Grandma, I have to ___ in the potty. Come on, lets go. Run!") Today was even more tiring because our electricity went out for the entire afternoon. Then we must put some stickers on Katy's potty training chart that also includes some other desired behaviors such as hand washing, teeth brushing, picking up toys, etc.

mkhammy1 · Senior Member

Linda, the doll show in El Paso is all kinds of dolls, I think. At least the one I attended in Las Cruces was. I don't know if they have a website, but I have the info at my office. I'll find it and let you know.

When you do classes, do you provide the sculpts? If so, which ones? How much do you usually charge? I had thought about doing a class with the six inch babies, ordering the complete kits from Secrist. Is this a good idea? Sorry for so many questions!

Sounds like you have your hands full with that grandbaby! I have 3 grandchildren, ranging from 6 to 1-1/2. I get absolutely nothing done when they're here, but I never mind. They're just so much fun!

Hugs, Melinda